US Bridges

Airplane Road over Ralston Creek

FairPosted for load

Saline County, Kansas · 0.45 Miles South of Farre · Structure no. AFKSVUBV00002

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
27 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2014 count
Owner
Federal
Air Force

About this bridge

Airplane Road over Ralston Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Airplane Road over Ralston Creek in Saline County, Kansas. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 years old, older than the Kansas average of 52.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 12 by 2034. The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesAirplane Road
CrossesRalston Creek
Location0.45 Miles South of Farre
RouteFederal Lands Road 0
CountySaline County
StateKansas
Coordinates38.74689, -97.81742
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating28 US tons
Inventory rating17 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length27 ft (8.2 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.9 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2014)
Projected traffic12 by 2034
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerAir Force
Maintained byAir Force
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$85,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Airplane Road over Ralston Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is Airplane Road over Ralston Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in November 2024.

How much traffic does Airplane Road over Ralston Creek carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2014 count).

How long is Airplane Road over Ralston Creek?

The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Airplane Road over Ralston Creek?

It is owned by the Air Force.